ARMED police detained a man at Bexhill’s Ravenside Retail and Leisure Park this afternoon (Saturday) after reports of a man carrying a bladed weapon in the town.
Officers were called to Third Avenue at around 12.40pm following concerns about a man in possession of a knife. No members of the public were harmed, and the suspect was later detained at the retail park in De La Warr Road, where police deployed a distraction device to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm, possession of a bladed article in a public place, affray, and criminal damage. He has been taken to hospital to be treated for medical checks.
Superintendent Jonathan Hartley said: “We understand the concern this incident will have caused, and I’d like to reassure the community that there is no wider threat to the public.
“Our priority is safety, and the deployment of distraction tactics enabled officers to swiftly detain the man and ensure public safety.
“We recognise the ongoing disruption this incident may cause as officers remain at the scene conducting initial enquiries, and I’d like to thank the community for their patience and understanding during this time.”
Meanwhile, Claxton Road has been closed by Police following an incident. It’s not yet known if this was related – Bexhill News is waiting for more information and will update this story.
